Frost dates for 27608Raleigh, NC
The average last spring frost in Raleigh is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Oct 28 · Nov 8 · Nov 27 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 14 · Mar 31 | Nov 6 · Nov 23 · Dec 15 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Raleigh
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27608 is matched to the NOAA station Raleigh State Univ, NC, 5.1 km away, at 400 ft elevation (82 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh State Univ, NC (used) | 400 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
| Raleigh 4 Sw, NC | 420 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 9 |
| Garner, NC | 330 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Raleigh Durham Intl Ap, NC | 416 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Raleigh
- Raleigh, NC 27605 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Cary, NC 27511 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Knightdale, NC 27545 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Garner, NC 27529 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Morrisville, NC 27560 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Apex, NC 27502 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Rolesville, NC 27571 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Wake Forest, NC 27587 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?
- For ZIP code 27608, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Raleigh State Univ, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Raleigh, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27608?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.